Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-03-10

ments in the hands of his secretaries
of we'll demonstrated inability.
IT is not apparent upon the face
of the returns that prohibition is
having the general deleterious effect
in Iowa so confidently prophesied
by the advocates of free whisky.
They likewise foretold the deprecia-
ton Of values that would as surely
follow the enactment of the prohib-
tory law. But now, when the law
is being so generally enforced that
every bailiwick is feeling its effect,
distinctly opposite results are aPpar-
cnt. With the beginning of bust
ness year of 1857, an increased value
is set upon properties that fiuctuate
in accordance with the enactment Of
salutary or injurious laws. Through
out Iowa the pulse of prosperity is
beating with new strength, and
general conditions are improved
even beyond those ever enjoyed in
this peerless state. Already the
year has experienced gigantic
though somewhat fictitious boom in
Council Bluffs. Dcs Moines is now
awakening to a new life that will
see new manufacturing and indus
trial enterprises located, values in
realty are advancing to heights never
before attained. The biggest dis
tillery in the world has ceased to
pour forth volumes of smoke from
its stack, and a hundred saloons
have been closed in this city that is
today thrilling with new and bet
ter life, with values increasing and
citizenship transforming for the bet
ter. Throughout the state the new
spirit is penetrating, but if we look
for exceptions the attention is turned
to the river cities and few inland
towns that have studiously and per-
sistently defied the law, where judi
cial officers have looked carelessly
upon violations, and through personal
fear or prejudice have allowed the
law to stand imperative. There
are such exceptions which it is not
necessary to site individually.
If the prohibitory issue was to de.
termine the value of property and
the measure of general prosperity
in the state, as our democratic friends
so loudly affirmed, the experiment
has been very satisfactory. Its re.
peal will never be considered con.
scientiou,ly, but the call for a more
strict and rigid enforcement will
rise from every man engaged in
commercial, agricultural or mechan.
ical pursuits until every illegal fea'
ture of the traffic shall be abolished
These results being so apparent
and altogether so incontrovertible
confront the democratic party Of
Iowa, and will demand reconstruc
ton OF the party's adjustable plat
form for the campaign of 1857. 1t
is something of dilemma,tor having
declared in favor of free whisky y
and opposed to "sumptuary legisla-
ton" the ground cannot be evacuated
las it must beg directly, but to be
graceful must be through equivoca
and non-committal resolutions. II
cannot endorse the legislation of tn.
republican party and raise the re
publican cry ga school house OF
every hill top and no saloons in the
valley" neither can it resolve agains
a demonstrated success. The situa
ton is indeed delicate, and we shall
not accept any solution that may be
offered by factions, but await patiently
the resolution of positive nothing
ness to be evolved by the willy
Weaver as he directs the partv'
counsels in the coming convention